Liang Qichao (1873-1929) was a young colleague and follower of Kang Youwei (1858-1927), a Chinese political thinker and reformer in the late Qing Dynasty. During the failed “100 Days Reform” of 1898, when the Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) ended the reform, Liang Qichao narrowly escaped arrest (and likely execution). He settled into exile in Japan, where he pursued a highly influential career as a writer and publisher of journals, including the popular fortnightly Renewing the People (Xinmin congbao), published between 1902 and 1905. The following is an excerpt from Liang Qichao’s journals.
Renewing the People
What is the most bitter suffering faced in life? One may be inclined to say it’s poverty, disappointment, old age, or even death. But no, it’s none of these! I say the most bitter suffering in life is carrying the burden of an unfulfilled responsibility. If one can be content, poverty is not bitter; if one can be at peace (not having excessive hopes), disappointment is not bitter; old age, sickness, and death are inevitable parts of life, and optimistic people take them in stride, not considering them particularly bitter.
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